Extensive drug use in the United States was unheard of until the 1980s. Though the fear of drug abuse has been lurking since World War I, it was not until the latter half of the 20th century that those fears materialized. What started with narcotics like morphine and opium escalated to the abuse of stimulants like cocaine. Today, the US is grappling with an addiction epidemic, especially because restricting the entry of drugs has been futile to date.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shared the bitter-sweet news that drug-related overdose deaths had declined in 2023 for the first time since 2018. However, the use of psychostimulants continued to rise. No wonder the demand for substance abuse counselors is increasing.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the same will grow at the rate of 18% till 2032. Do you also wish to make a lasting difference in someone’s life? If yes, then this career field is a widely coveted option. This article will discuss how to become a substance abuse counselor to fight the addiction epidemic on the front lines.
Start With Research
By research, we mean getting to know the local requirements to become a substance abuse counselor, be it educational, licensure, or experiential. Such requirements can vary among different states. In that case, your career path will first be determined by the state within which you wish to operate.
Some states may have a mandate that the professional must have credentials from the state certification board itself. Moreover, other states may have special licensing demands based on the type of practice the professional would like to run.
So, get to know the different licensure requirements before preparing for a career. Keep this point in mind, as it will be of utmost importance when it comes to choosing a relevant course or university.
Get the Required Credentials
Just like any other profession, that of a substance abuse counselor poses the need for relevant credentials. This means you will have to get yourself enrolled in a reputed university program. As mentioned previously, different states may have different educational requirements.
In general, most will require a Bachelor’s degree followed by a Master’s with advanced standing. Now, keep in mind that you do not have to belong to the healthcare field for this career path. Another route through which such a profession can be pursued is social work.
In any case, a Bachelor’s in Social Work (BSW) will be mandatory, after which you must take up a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) for specialized knowledge. Advanced-standing online MSW programs are also available for an accelerated learning experience.
These will help you secure your degree in less than the typical two years. According to Keuka College, the online coursework will be accompanied by real-world hands-on working opportunities to gain much-needed field experience. A Master’s degree is a must because, across many states, you may not be able to practice independently without it.
Pursue Clinical Experience
In most states, a certain number of clinical hours is specified. These hours must be spent in practical environments where you get to apply your theoretical knowledge. Once the hours are completed, you may become eligible for licensure. It is best to choose a learning program that offers a state-specified number of hours of clinical experience. Besides the real-world experience that your coursework affords, we would recommend pursuing other internships or assistance opportunities.
This is to ensure that you have additional credentials as well as extensive expertise in how substance abuse settings work. Moreover, it is possible that the field hours you gain during coursework focus on the type of practice that you are not aiming at. Working on multiple internships for an extra year or so will only enrich your knowledge.
Sit for the Licensure Examination
By this point, you should have met the requirements of your respective state. Though the examination contents also differ among states, they will revolve around what you learned during your Bachelor’s, Master’s, and clinical experiences.
For instance – you could be asked questions regarding the different types of illicit substances, their impact, as well as the right counseling procedures. The examination may even have questions surrounding the latest stats on substance abuse, drug cartels, and so on.
Apart from regular college books, browse through good online resources and stay up-to-date with the latest news. Also, you may be able to find online or offline study groups to expand your thinking and exam preparation practices.
Adopt a Holistic View
Once the licensure part is over, you need to seek certification in the field of substance abuse through counseling experiences. As your experience deepens, consider sitting for examinations like the National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC). For this, it is important to adopt a holistic view of the field. Start changing your perspective and look at addiction as a multifaceted, complex journey that could have causes and influences.
This will enable you to dig into patient history and bring up the reason behind their problem. Furthermore, it will help you employ empathy at all times, a crucial quality to have as a substance abuse counselor. We hope to have cleared your doubts in your venture of becoming a successful substance abuse counselor. As of 2023, the state of California has the highest number of these professionals (54,660). Then, New York follows with 24,420 substance abuse counselors.
Since demand for these professionals is on the rise, we will soon see the numbers increase. You can choose your state of operation based on the demand, and now is the best time to start walking on this career path.
